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Politics
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Farage fact check: the truth behind five of his resignation statements
The Reform leader made some punchy accusations in his video, not all of which stand up to scrutiny Farage quits as an MP amid scrutiny of his finances Nigel Farage’s “statement on my future” video address was lengthy and had a lot to say about his apparent sacrifices for the sake of politics. But do they stand up? Continue reading...
Qatar says Iran fully responsible after tankers struck in strait of Hormuz
Three vessels, including a Qatari LNG carrier, struck within hours close to Oman Qatar has warned Iran it will bear full legal responsibility after three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the strait of Hormuz. All three vessels were struck close to Oman which had suggested a new shipping corridor close to its coastline – a proposal opposed by Iran, which wants to charge ships using the waterway. Continue reading...
I’m rich – defend me, be happy for me, says Farage to poor voters in Clacton. They are just his collateral damage | John Harris
The Reform UK leader’s ruse to head off scrutiny by forcing a byelection may work, but it’s all about him: no one else gains anything from it Most people who closely follow British politics probably know the basics about Jaywick, an enclave of Clacton, on the Essex coast. A sprawling tangle of tracks, paths and old holiday shacks repurposed as permanent homes, it has been ranked as England’s poorest area several times since 2011, most recently in October last year. I first visited in 2014, during the byelection campaign that would see the former Tory Douglas Carswell – remember him? – chosen as the UK Independence Party’s first MP. “Look at us,” one man told me. “We’re a backwater no one gives a shit about.” He was one of many Nigel Farage fans I spoke to; in 2024, when local people elected the Reform leader as Clacton’s new MP, many presumably did so with hopes of Jaywick’s neglect coming to an end. I suspect, unfortunately, that Farage’s extra-parliamentary earnings and international gallivanting have rather been giving them the impression that Jaywick remains a backwater no one gives a shit about. Continue reading...
How could Democrats replace Graham Platner in Maine’s Senate race – and who might they choose?
Democrats weigh options as controversial Senate nominee faces calls to drop out of race after sexual assault allegation US politics live – latest updates Top Democrats are considering their options as Graham Platner, the party’s candidate for US Senate in Maine, faces growing calls to withdraw after a sexual assault allegation. While Platner has denied the claims, first reported by Politico on Monday, they sparked a chorus of criticism. He said he was “taking the time to reflect on the best path forward” in the wake of the story. Continue reading...
Austrian campaign aims to save writer Stefan Zweig’s Salzburg villa after Porsche tunnel row
Supporters hope to stop 17th-century Villa Europa passing into private hands after Wolfgang Porsche unexpectedly put it on market Austrian cultural figures have launched a campaign to buy a villa once home to the writer Stefan Zweig after its owner, the automotive magnate Wolfgang Porsche, unexpectedly put it on the market following a row over his plans to build a private tunnel for his car collection. Zweig, the Austrian Jewish writer whose novels inspired the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel, lived in the 17th-century property until 1934 when he was driven out of Salzburg by the Austro-fascist regime and his family was forced to sell it at a rock-bottom price. Continue reading...
Why Farage is quitting as an MP amid scrutiny over gifts – but will stand again
Reform UK leader is to force a byelection in his Clacton seat as he reveals he faces a second parliamentary inquiry Nigel Farage has said he will resign as the MP for Clacton, and fight the resulting byelection , as scrutiny over his finances continues. The Reform UK leader revealed that he was under a second investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over undeclared gifts. Continue reading...
Bernie Sanders calls on Graham Platner to withdraw amid sexual assault claims
More members of the Democratic party have asked Platner to stand down from US Senate race in Maine The progressive senator Bernie Sanders has called on Graham Platner to withdraw from the US Senate race in Maine, citing “very serious allegations” of sexual assault. While Platner has denied the claims, first reported by Politico on Monday, a growing list of Democrats have called on him to stand aside as the party’s candidate. Continue reading...
Italian village to impose fines of up to €200 on tourists with bare chests or in swimwear
Varenna’s authorities say wandering around the village shirtless or in swimwear is now banned A fishing village by Lake Como has imposed fines of up to €200 (£171) for those who wander around with bare chests or in swimwear, in the latest attempt by an Italian holiday destination to crack down on uncouth tourists. Varenna has been feeling the strain from an increasing number of visitors and so authorities were moved to introduce a raft of new rules aimed at preserving the village’s appearance and guaranteeing a smidgen of peace and quiet for its year-round population of roughly 650. Continue reading...
Nige throws the world’s biggest temper tantrum before grand byelection reveal
The Reform leader was determined to fight for the right to receive gifts from Thai crypto billionaires and convicted fraudsters It’s the heavyweight contest of the year. The Establishment v the Establishment. Or as the former City worker who is given £5m trifles would like you to see it, Nigel Farage versus the Establishment. Yes, Nige has had enough and he’s not taking it any more. He is the People’s Nige. The man who chose to resign as an MP and call a byelection as a matter of principle. And that principle is the right to receive gifts from a Thai crypto billionaire and benefits in kind from a convicted fraudster without declaring them. Continue reading...
Former mayor of Mississippi’s capital pleads guilty to bribery and fraud
Chokwe Antar Lumumba had previously called FBI sting while mayor of Jackson a ‘political prosecution’ The former mayor of Mississippi ’s capital city pleaded guilty on Monday to bribery, wire fraud and money laundering, after saying a corruption case brought against him two years earlier was a “ political prosecution ”. Chokwe Antar Lumumba was the mayor of Jackson in November 2024 when he was indicted by a federal grand jury after an FBI investigation and sting operation in which he and two other elected Democrats allegedly accepted illegal payments to secure a real estate deal. Continue reading...
Christian Pulisic’s World Cup of TV stardom and ‘little glimpses’ ends in disappointment
For much of the star’s career, this tournament has been held as his potential pinnacle. Instead much of the USMNT’s success came without his involvement There was a clear quiver in Christian Pulisic’s voice as he answered the final question posed to him at the 2026 World Cup. On its face, the question was straightforward: how did the overall experience of this tournament meet his expectations? The subtext was what got overwhelming. For eight years, this World Cup co-hosted by the United States has been held up as the possible pinnacle of his career and those of his teammates. Every machination of American soccer has operated with signposts displaying “2026” in bold. Continue reading...
Nigel Farage resigns to stand in ‘people vs establishment’ byelection – The Latest
Nigel Farage has announced his resignation as the MP for Clacton, triggering a byelection in which he intends to stand as a candidate. The Reform UK leader is under scrutiny over his finances, with two investigations by the parliamentary standards watchdog over undeclared gifts. During a 15-minute press conference, he accused the media of a ‘pile-on’ over his personal finances, and harassment of his family. He said his decision was part of ‘sticking two fingers up at the establishment’ and would prove the public want him to stay on as an MP. Lucy Hough speaks to policy editor Kiran Stacey – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
What does the court ruling mean for Marine Le Pen’s presidential chances?
A look at the the case, the appeal court decision, and how it could affect the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron A Paris court has delivered a ruling on Marine Le Pen’s appeal against her conviction for embezzlement of public funds that could – at least in principle – allow France’s far-right figurehead to run in next year’s presidential election. Here is a look at the ruling, the case that led up to it – and what the court’s decision means for the race to succeed Emmanuel Macron as French president. Continue reading...
IOC lifts suspension and paves way for Russia to compete at LA 2028 Olympics
Suspension had been imposed after invasion of Ukraine Decision on Russian anthem and flag still unclear The International Olympic Committee has lifted the suspension on Russia that was imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, paving the way for the Russian team to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics. Only a handful of Russians were able to compete at the Paris Summer Olympics and the Milan Cortina Winter Games in 2026 as authorised neutral athletes, after an IOC vetting panel checked whether they had offered any public support for the war in Ukraine. Continue reading...
‘Like a miracle’: hidden gold saves Lancashire church from closure
Anonymous gift of nine Britannia coins worth nearly £30,000 were discovered in a bag beneath the altar Unable to raise the £750,000 needed for urgent repairs, St Wilfrid’s Church looked likely to shut its doors after more than 700 years in the town of Melling, Lancashire. But, on Good Friday, the church was saved from closure by the discovery, in a plastic bag hidden under the altar, of a box with nine gold Britannia coins worth nearly £30,000. Continue reading...
Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study finds
Researchers testing a cheap, homegrown oil in Uganda found what cats knew all along – it worked as well as the artificial chemical used globally A homegrown catnip lotion has proven “just as effective as Deet” as a mosquito repellant in trials carried out in Uganda. Catnip, or Nepeta cataria , is a common herb from the mint family. The chemical in the plant that causes feline euphoria – nepetalactone – also has insect-repelling properties but this has not previously been commercialised. Continue reading...
Hundreds of jobs at risk as John Lewis announces closure of in-store services
Desks offering gift wrapping and bureau de change stations will be closed at dozens of stores nationwide John Lewis has put 200 jobs at risk as it plans to shut down desks operating gift wrapping and foreign exchange services. The 36-strong department store chain said it had begun a consultation on redundancies for the workers as it plans to close the desks which operate bureau de change services in 30 stores, and specialist gift wrapping in 25 stores. The closures will take place this autumn. Continue reading...
Dolly Parton musical set for Broadway this winter: ‘a dream come true’
After a run in Nashville, Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to open in New York in December Dolly Parton will celebrate turning 81 with the opening of a musical about her life on Broadway later this year. Dolly: A True Original Musical is billed as “a remarkable journey through the life of this trailblazing woman” and is set to begin previews at New York’s St James Theatre on 7 December before opening on 19 January, the singer’s birthday. Continue reading...
French prosecutors investigate racist abuse of Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan senator
Celeste Amarilla could face charges after a complaint by the French Football Federation over social media posts after World Cup match Prosecutors in France have opened an investigation into the racist attack on Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator, with officials weighing whether to demand that the senator be charged with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence. The Paris prosecutor’s office told the Guardian on Tuesday that it had launched the inquiry after the French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint with the national unit for combating online hate. Continue reading...
Recession off the cards but Australia faces dreary outlook, economists say
De-escalation of war in the Middle East has lowered oil prices and eased fears of economic downturn but households are still feeling the pinch Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Fears of a recession have fallen away, with economists saying that Australia is set to safely navigate the biggest global oil supply shock in history even as they warn of sub-standard growth in the year ahead. The de-escalation of the Middle East conflict has been accompanied by a major retreat in global oil prices back to prewar levels, essentially removing the worst-case scenarios contemplated before Donald Trump’s wobbly ceasefire with Iran was announced in mid-June. Continue reading...
‘An accident waiting to happen’: experts call for Australian rules football safety overhaul after player death
Concrete-based cricket pitches, like that on which Nathan Fitzgerald received fatal blows to the head, are ‘totally unsafe’, concussion advocate says Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia must finally deal with a deadly risk that has plagued its native football code for more than 120 years, sports safety advocates say, after the death of a suburban Aussie rules footballer. Nathan Fitzgerald, a 27-year-old school teacher, died in a Melbourne hospital on Monday after a horror accident on Saturday in which it is believed the Epping reserves grade footballer clashed heads with another player while tackling an opponent and received a second blow to the head as he fell, before striking his head a third time on a concrete-based cricket pitch in the middle of the ground. Continue reading...
A rock star welcome and human rights protests to greet India’s prime minister Narendra Modi in Australia
Amnesty International says Albanese has opportunity to ‘reaffirm mutual commitment’ to rule of law as thousands in diaspora expected at stadium event Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Australia in three years has sparked calls for the federal government to raise human rights concerns, as excitement builds within the nation’s Indian diaspora. Modi’s visit begins on Wednesday evening and marks his third since becoming prime minister. It will see him return to Melbourne after more than a decade, with a stadium event expected to attract more than 20,000 people. Continue reading...
M&S invests in fridges that can cope with weather as hot as 45C
Retailer admits it struggled in June heatwave and also had to order more ice-cream to keep pace with demand Marks & Spencer is investing in refrigeration equipment that can cope with weather as hot as 45C as the climate crisis is expected to drive regularly higher temperatures in the UK. “There is no doubt we were struggling in the nine days of [recent] extreme heat,” Stuart Machin, the chief executive of the food, fashion, beauty and homewares retailer, told shareholders at the group’s annual meeting in London on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Washington records world’s worst air quality for a city after over 850,000 Fourth of July fireworks
Hourly concentrations of particulate matter rose to 6.7 times their pre-fireworks levels, according to an analysis Washington DC residents breathed in “unhealthy” air for hours after a 40-minute Independence Day fireworks show over the National Mall on Saturday night, with the country’s capital briefly recording the worst air quality of any major city in the world. The highly emitting display, which the president called “spectacular”, came as the Trump administration rolls back an unprecedented number of pollution controls. Continue reading...